---
type: training-material
source: hawkcollective Google Drive
date: 2026-05-03
growth: tree
---

# Electrical Level 3

Electrical Level 3
Specialty ports, Troubleshooting & Fault Codes

2890 The Hawk Collective


FRC Robot Wire Guide 

Power
Distribution 
Board

PDB - Trouble Lights
Lights should always match except in Bootloader Mode

Robot Rio -  Ports - CAN
CAN connector is the communications backbone of the robot. We use CAN to communicate to the PCM, Motor controllers, and PDB. The newer versions of the RIO have the color names printed on them.
Green = LOW 
Yellow = HIGH

Robot Rio -  Ports - I2C
I2C = Inter Integrated Circuit
A two wire communication system, similar to CAN. Hundreds of devices can be connected to this port with only 2 data wires as long as each device has a unique address.
Rio = Master I2C              Device = Slave 12C 
4 pins 
Ground - Power(3.3v) - System Clock - System Data
Research Usage

Robot Rio -  Ports - RS-232
Also known as UART. This is a basic Serial Communications system.  Relatively slow communications, but very universal. 
3 pins 
Ground - Receive - Transmit 
Research Usage

Robot Rio - buttons
Reset =reboots the FPGA and Processor in the Rio  when the button is held down for 5 seconds. 
User = Button that can be accessed in the code.
Not debounced

Research Usage

Robot Rio - Ports - SPI
Serial Parallel Interface - Port with the ability to talk in parallel to multiple devices on a common network. Each Chip Select # pin enables the individual device (4 devices). While the pins on the left side of the socket are shared amongst all the devices.  
SCK = System Clock
MOSI = Master Out Slave In
MISO= Master In Slave Out
Research Usage

Robot Rio - MXP
Research Usage
Expansion port- Accepts speciality designed circuit boards that expand the functionality of the Rio. Screw points used to secure the expansion board.

Robot Rio -Lights - RSL
Mimics the RSL light showing connection status. 

Robot Rio -Lights - Mode
Shows the current mode of the robot. 
Off = Outputs disabled
Solid Green = Outputs enabled - Autonomous 
Solid Yellow = Outputs enabled - Teleoperation
Solid Red = Outputs unknown, undetermined, test mode

Robot Rio -Lights - Comm
Shows the communications status of the robot. 
Solid Red = No Code
Blinking  Red = E-Stop was activated
Solid Green = Active, Driver station connected.
Any Yellow = Reserved


Robot Rio -Lights - Comm
Shows the current Communications of the robot. 
Off = Off
Blinking Yellow = Radio Booting as AP
Solid Yellow = Radio is Active as AP
Blinking Green = Radio Booting as Bridge
Solid Green = Radio is Active as Bridge 
Any  Red = Reserved

Robot Rio -Lights - Status
Shows the current Self test status of the boot process. 
2 blinks = Probably failed upgrade. 
3 blinks = Safe mode
4 blinks = Multiple crashes without reboots. Probably out of memory. 
Regular blinking / solid on = Irrecoverable crash (call NI).


Robot Rio -Lights - Power
Shows the current Communications of the robot. 
Off= voltage outside normal range.
Solid Green = No faults
Solid Red = One or more voltage rails are shorted or overcurrent
Blinking Red = Over 16v applied to Rio outputs disabled 
Solid Yellow = Brownout Under 6 volts outputs disabled

General Troubleshooting
When confronted a problem on the robot, unskilled technicians will jump from device to device. They often prioritize the devices that they are most comfortable with to least. By achieving Level 3 status you will develop a new skill for troubleshooting. 
Troubleshooting procedures:
1) Mentally isolate the subsystem.
2) Check the “trouble / signal lights” for a clue.  
3) Start closest to the affected device (motor, solenoid, sensor). 
Have Programmers check the code for this item while you are doing the hardware side.
4) Check all input sources on that device. (power,signal,air)
	Look for loose/poor/weak/broken connections/ bad crimps / solder joints.
5)Move up the substem, branching and checking at each point. Until you reach a known good item.
	->Know good items are devices that connect to multiple devices, and the other devices are still functioning.
	

2890 Trouble Protocols
When troubleshooting a subsystem. 
Call out “ Im Troubleshooting _________” (pneumatics/ electrical/ drive drain) 
A second person who has any level certs in that area will “hover” and assist.
The primary person will verbalize what they are checking and what they are thinking. 
The secondary will listen and only speak up if a step/subsection/trouble spot was missed.

(If no certified secondary is available a mentor will step in)

Resolving Problems
Once a probable defective device has been identified:
1)Quick swap identical item, Communicate the swap with all  the  Subsystem Leads so they can make all necessary changes while the swap is occurring. 
2) As soon as the device has been swapped, check it, check it again, and then check it again.
If hardware fixes are not resolving the problems:
-Communicate with the lead programmer all actions taken by the hardware team.

Talons

Talon LED Codes

Pneumatic 
Control
Module


PCM Status LEDs

PCM Status LEDs

To Achieve Electronic Technician Level 3 
Read this presentation and memorize the memorize the fault light codes for Rio, PCM, Talons.
Find the slides marked with “Research Usage”. Research one instance of another team/device using this port.
Take the Pretest for Electronics Technician Level 3 
Schendle an in person test with a Electronics Trainer for level 3.

Next-Electronic Technician Level 4 - Trainer
Assist  in each lower level training procedures least twice with guidance from Mentor/System Lead
Participate in updating / upgrading tests / training materials.
Retake all 3 Q&A Pre-test/test in a single supervised sitting lasting no more than 1 hour.

